Crystal Palace - 1 (Morrison 6.)
Crewe Alexandra - 1 (Walton 62.)

A good days work was ruined by only the scoreline, as Palace once again failed to capitalise on a game that they dominated in every way other than the important point of getting the ball in the back of the net. With players back from suspension and injury there was almost a full squad to pick the team from. The only exception to this would have been Sun Jihai who was completing his mandatory two game "rest". One can only assume that this was not one of the matches that was being beamed live into China this year, as our other Chinese star (Fan Zhiyi) was left on the bench for the duration of the match, despite having turned out for the Reserves during the week.

The match was underway, and the side were looking good as the opening exchanges were made. As the past had brought us six draws in succession the supporters that attended had every right to think that this just might be our day. With only six minutes of the match gone, they were feeling even more that this might be the case, as Jamie Smith made a good run down the right and put through a great pass to Clinton Morrison. Clinton turned, outwitting his marker, and coolly placed the ball from 10 yards out past Jason Kearton to open our account. This was followed up by Leon McKenzie firing the ball over the bar, then Lee Bradbury had a good chance to increase the lead when he directed his header straight at the keeper. To add insult to injury Bradbury then turned provider to Morrison who put his shot over the bar when, as seems usual these days, it would have been easier to score.

The domination of Palace can most likely be gauged when it took more than half an hour for Kevin Miller to see any of the action. The trouble was that once he did see the ball the last 15 minutes was all pressure from the visitors. First into the action was Phil Charnock whose long range effort was kept out by Miller and Dave Walton headed wide of an inviting open goal. Rodney Jack saw his shot go wide of the post, and Jermaine Wright and Danny Murphy (on loan from Liverpool) both missed good chances to put Crewe level before the break. It was not to be, and we went to the break holding our slender 1-0 lead.

The second half started to look as if Palace were content to hold on to their lead, so it was not surprising that in the 63rd minute Crewe equalised. Mark Rivers and Chris Lightfoot played well, and they managed to put Walton clear at the far post, his shot giving Miller no chance at all. The effect of this shot was, most likely, not what Crewe might have hoped for, as Palace clicked back into gear. The first one with a shot was Andy Linighan, his header going inches over the bar. The substitution of McKenzie for Nick Rizzo nearly paid immediate dividends when he made his way into the box and unleashed a shot that went narrowly wide of the post. We then nearly got our second "own" goal in two games when Rivers attempted a back pass to the keeper. The ball went over the keeper, but once again sailed just wide. Further chances to Hayden Mullins, Craig Foster and Bradbury really tested the visiting keeper, but Palace must have felt really aggrieved when Rizzo's shot took a deflection off a defender, but Kearton made a flying save right by the post to keep the ball out. There was no time left, and we had to once again settle for a draw, our seventh in a row at home. Somehow we really must do better in this type of game.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Kevin Miller, Jamie Smith, Gordan Petric, Jamie Fullarton (Craig Foster 70), Craig Moore, Andy Linighan, Leon McKenzie (Nick Rizzo 70), Hayden Mullins, Lee Bradbury, Clinton Morrison, Simon Rodger.
Not Used: Fan Zhiyi.

Crewe Alexandra: Jason Kearton, David Wright, Shaun Smith, Chris Lightfoot, David Walton, Phil Charnock, Jermaine Wright, Colin Little (Kevin Street 68), Rodney Jack, Danny Murphy, Mark Rivers (Steve Anthrobus 80).
Not Used: Mark Foran.

Attendance: 14,823
Referee: Mr F.G. Stretton (Nottingham).